Wednesday, July 15, 2015

An intriguing idea, isn’t it?
To imagine a machine which can replicate a human’s ability to think stirs the
mind in so many ways. Indeed, AI has been a darling of science fiction for
decades. With it, we’ve created terrifying villains, like HAL from 2001
Space Odyssey. With it, we’ve met some endearing characters, such as Data
from Star Trek and Disney’s Wall-e. It is a concept that simultaneously
intrigues and terrifies us, and the repulsion-attraction has only grown as the
possibility of achieving AI seems to draw steadily closer.

Now AI presents many moral and
ethical issues in the general realm. Indeed, those issues and questions
are the cornerstone of many secular works, from Star Trek and Blade
Runner to Terminator and Person of Interest. But for the
Christian, AI seems to present special problems: What is an AI’s relationship
with the spiritual realm? Does their sentience mean we would need to evangelize
them? How should we, as children of God, treat them—like a tool? an animal? on
par with a human?

It’s tough. I openly
admit that. AI isn’t directly referenced in Scripture, and complicating things
further, many of the questions have far-reaching implications for here and now:
What makes us human? How far does the grace and sovereignty of God extend? To
whom is salvation offered? Why did God create?

As a result, I will be taking the
next few weeks to look at Artificial Intelligence and some of the unique
questions AI raises specifically for the Christian.

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Disclaimers

Most of the books reviewed for this blog are bought or borrowed from a library. However, some (usually two dozen or less) each year are given to me free from the author or publisher.

I haven't previewed every book or other work of art that I included in my monthly arts lists. Many works are included for other reasons, such as insights to culture, making them worthwhile but perhaps containing questionable content. Therefore, use discernment when listening, reading, or viewing these pieces.